Reciprocating compressor



E. T. WILLIAMS RECIPR'OCATING COMPRESSOR Aug. 2, "1927. Re. 16,693

Original Filed-Des. 1, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Reissued Aiigi .1921.

v UNITED STATES PATENT orncs. y

'1. WILLIAMS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO REFRIGERATION DEVELOPMENT, INC., NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

, nncrrno'c'armo cournnsson.

Original in. 1,556,059, dated This invention relates to electrically driven compressors for air and other gases, particularly gases and vapors used as refrigerating media, and its chief object is to provide a compressor and driving mechanism therefor in which the use of rotating parts, and likewise the use of packing for piston rods, is avoided. To this and other ends the invention comprises the novel features hereinafter described.

The invention is especially adapted for so-called household refrigerating systems, in which durability, reliability, and freedom from complication are of prime importance,

and I have accordingly selected for specific description herein an embodiment-designed particularly for the purpose "mentioned.

1 For this purpose I prefer slngle-acting reciprocating compressors with aligned -or parallel compression cylinders, with pistons actuated by the core or cores of a pair of solenoids. The latter are preferably axially aligned, and are energized in alternation by"- the two wave-halves of single phase alternat- 25 ing current, the wavesbeing' split and the positive half sent through one solenoid and I the negative half through the other, by suitable rectifying means preferably of the electrolytic or vacuum tu e type. Referring to the accompanying drawing: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of adouble acting compressing apparatus embodying my present invention. 1 Figs; 2, 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views showing other forms.

In Fig. 1, the two compression cylinders 10,111 are arranged in axial alignment, and thesolenoids 12, 13, enclosed in suitable casings'14, 15, are also in axial a'lignment'but at right angles to the cylinders. The istons 16, 17 are connected by connecting re s or links 18, 19, -to the longitudinally slotted member 20 connecting the two cores 21, 22. The core, connectin rod, and Eiston assembly is shown in mid-position. ach piston has ports 23, controlled by a valve 24 of-t-he spring disk type, consisting of a disk of spring metal secured at its center to the piston in any convenient manner, as by spot-- welding. Over each cylinder is a chamber or dome 25, with a valve 26. The latter is of the same typeas'valve 24, but is attached to a spring-pressed pin 27 so that the disk with a hollow central not only "can flex butcan also move bodily.

The two cylinders, 10, 11, are integral member 28, fitted in a gas-tight manner to 14, 15, andthe bores October 6, 1925, Serial No. 677,926, filed December 1,1823. Application reissue filed Kay 9, 1927. Serial No. 190,088.

the solenoid casings 29, 30, in which the r cores'21, 22 travel,are'closed at their outer ends, the'two solenoid casings and the central member forming an elongated. closed 7 chamber communicating with the intake nds The gas to be compressed is supplied to the chamber through an inlet pipe 28*. and the compressed gas escapes from the domes through pipes 31. It will therefore be seen that the apparatus has no rod or shaft requ1r1ng packing.

The solenoids 12, 13 are energized in alternation by the positive and negative 1mpulses of alternating current, directed 'to the respective solenoids by suitable rectifymg means, as for example the system illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. In this figure, 32 represents a transformer having terminals 33, 34, for connection with a single phase circuit represented by the mains 35,

36. Wires 37, 38, 39 connect one terminal ofv each solenoid to the neutral point of the transformer, and wires 40, 41 connect the other terminals to the filaments of the vacuum tubes 42, 43, while the plate electrodes of the latter are connected by wires 44, 45 to such turns of the transformer as will give the desired voltage across the solenoid terminals. Inasmuch as current can flow from plate to filament but not from filament to plate, it will be seen that a positive impulse, say in the direction of the arrow", will flow throu h terminal 33, transformer 32, wire 44, tu 42, wire 40, solenoid 12, wires 38,

39, transformer 32, and terminal 34 to main 36. Solenoid 12 is thus energized and core 22 drawn toward the left, thereby retracting piston 17 and advancin piston 16.]Similarly, the ensuing'ne%at1ve impulse, beginning to flow when the rst has fallen to zero,

passes only through solenoid 13; and since solenoid 12 is de-energized, core 21 moves toward the right, retracting piston 16, and advancing piston 17. This cycle of operation is repeated at each cycle of the current,

thus reciprocating the cores and pistons at performed by piston 17, but in the reverse order.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 2 the cylinders 10, 11 are arranged side by I side instead of in alignment, and the pistons 16, 17 are connected by connecting rods 18','19 to the cores 213 22. In Fig. 3

a similar arrangement of cylinders is employed but the pistons are connected by links 48, 49 to bell crank levers or .rockers 50, 51. which are in turn connected by links52, 53 to the cores 21", 22". v

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 4 the cylinders and pistons are lengthened, and extend below the path of the cores, to afford resistance to the lateral thrusts incident to the reciprocation of the cores. Also, the pistons are actuated by a cam-slot 55 in the member 20 connecting the two cores.

For this purpose the pistons are slotted so as to straddle the member 20, and are provided with wrist-pins 56 extending through the cam-slot. Preferably. the cam-slot is sha ed with a short dwell, 57 parallel to the pat of the cores, while the outer portions of the slot are inclined to, or almost to, their ends, so that if the cores should overthrow '(that is, travel past the position at which a given iston reaches the upper limit of its travel? the piston which is on the compression stroke will remain stationary but the other' (on the suction stroke) will travel farther and thus take in an increased amount of gas. For example, in the figure the piston 16" is at the top of its stroke. If, now, the cores do not reverse, but continue moving to the left, the dwell 57 in the camslot will keep piston 16 stationary, but the inclined end of the right arm of the slot will carry piston 17" down farther, and thus cause it to take in a greater volume of gas. Hence if the load on the machine is light enough to permit the cores to overthrow, the capacity of the machine is increased in a compensating manner. Upon reflection it will be seen that a like compensation is provided in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but that the piston which is on the compression or discharge stroke does notremain stationary. Thus in Fig.2, for example, overthrow to the left will 0 both pistons down slightly, but 17 farther than 16". Then on the right ward movement of the cores the former piston will have a short compression stroke, followed by its normal suction stroke.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the valve's-are shown (diagrammatically) as of the poppet type,

merely to indicate that the invention is not, in general, confined to any particular type.

It is to' be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions herein illustrated and described but can be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit as defined, by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Ina compressor, in combinatioma pair of compression cylinders, reciprocating pistons therein, a pair of solenoids. recipro- 1 eating cores actuated by the solenoids and connected to the pistons to reciprocate the same, and means for passing the positive Waves of alternating current predominantly through one solenoid and the negative waves predominantly through theother, whereby the solenoids are activated alternately.

2. In a compressor, in combination, a pair of compressiongcylinders, a closed chamber communicating with both cylinders at the intake ends thereof and havingan inlet for the gas to be compressed, pistons in the cylinders. a pair of reciprocating, cores arranged wholly within said chamber and connected with the pistons to actuate the same,

solenoids. associated with the cores to re-- clprocate the same, and alternating current means for energizing the solenoids in alternation.

'-'3.'In. a compressor, in combination, a pair of spaced coaxial solenoids,'-c asings therefor-having inwardly open aligned recesses closed at their outer ends, connectedcores mounted to reclprocate in said recesses,

a hollow member enclosing thQIQ res between the solenoid casings andhermetica'lly sealed to the latter to form in conjunction hi'h.

with said recesses a-closed c be the cores travel, a pair 0 inders open at their intak nd chamber and hermetically connected -t re to. pistons in the cylinders. connected e cores through the open intake ends, f cylinders for reciprocation by the cores', -a

means for energizing the solenoids in alt nation. X

4, In a compressor. 1n combination, a pair of compresslon cyllnders hav ng'their intake ends open. a chamber hermetically connected to the cylinders at their intake ends, open thereto and provided with a gas inlet opening but otherwise closed, pistons in the cylinders. a pair of cores wholly within said chamber and connected through their open ends to the pistons for reciprocation there by, solenoids associated with the cores to reciprocate the sam'e, and means for energizing the -soleno1ds alternately. i

nally thereof at right angleswto the cylin ders, pistons in the cylinders, connected through the open ends of the cylinders tov the cores for reciprocation thereby, solenoids associated with'the cores to reciprocate the same, and means for energizing the solenoids alternately. I v

6. In a compressor, incombination, a closed chamber having compressipn cylinders open at their intake ends to the interior of the chamber, pistons in the cylinders, solenoids associated with said chamber, solenoid cores wholly within said chamber and connected to the pistons through the open ends of the cylinders to actuate the pistons, and means for passing the positive waves of alternating current predominantly through one solenoid and the negative waves predominantly through another to activate the solenoids in alternation.

7. In a compressor, in combination, double-acting compression mechanism, a pair of solenoids having cores connected with said mechanism to actuate the same, and alter: nating current rectifying means connected with the solenoids to pass positive currentimpulses predominantly through one solenoid and negative current-impulses predominantly through the other, whereby the solenoids are activated alternately.

8. In a compressor, a piston movable in a given path of travel, an actuating member movable in a second path of travel perpendicular to said given path of travel and a rod connected to said piston and to said actuating member arranged on movement of said.

actuating member to pass through said given path of travel and solenoid mechanism for moving said actuating member.

9. In a compressor, a piston movable in a given path of travel, an actuating member movable in a second path of travel perpendicular'to said- 'ven path of travel, a rod connected to sai piston, a pivoted lever connected to said rod and connected to said actuating member, said rod and lever being arranged to pass through said given line of travel and a solenoid for moving said actuating member.

10. In a compressor. a piston movable in a given path of travel, an actuating member movable in a second path of travel perpendicular to said given path of travel, a

rod connected tosaid piston, a pivoted lever connected to said rod, a link connected to said lever and to said actuating member, said rod and lever being arranged to pass through said given line of travel and a solenoid for moving said actuating member.

11. In a compressor, a movable compress- I ing member, an element actuated by electro: magnet c lmpulses. due to alternate current alternations arranged to move 1n a given path of travel and connections between said member and said element com rising a mem-' ber arranged to move through a perpendicular to the said path oftravel to cause limitation of b movementof the compressing'memer. a

12. In a compressor, a 'piston, an actuating memberactuated by eIectr-o magnetic impulses due to alternate'current' alternations arranged'io move in a given path of travel and linkage connecting said iston and said member comprising a pivote lever arranged to move through a perpendicular to the said path of travel to cause limitation of movement of the piston.

13. In a compressor, a reciprocatory compressing member having a given line of travel, a solenoid actuated member having a second line of travel at an angle to said given line of travel, said solenoid actuated member being movable variable distances dependent on load, and connecting linkage between the compressing member and the solenoid actuated member arranged to give a fixed limit of movement of said compressing member in one direction for different extents of movement of said solenoid actuated member.

14. In a compressor, a piston, a rod connected to said piston, a member connected to said rod having a given path of travel, said rod passing through a perpendicular to said .path of travel and electro-magnetic means actuated by alternations in alternating current operating to oscillate said member in said path of travel.

15. In a compressor, a reciprocatory compressing member having a given line of travel, a solenoid actuated member having a second line of travel at an angle to said given line of travel, said solenoid actuated mem her being movable variable distances dependent on load, and connecting means for transmitting movement of the solenoid ac- EDWARD T. WILLIAMS. 

